Giving presents on Christmas is a long-established tradition that’s tied to the story of the Wise Men, who gifted baby Jesus. Gift-giving still lingers on and it’s not hard to understand why. The exchange of gifts between family and friends instills goodwill, generosity, and belonging. Needless to say, Christmas means more than presents. It’s about spending a relaxed and loving time with those closest to us, which is no little thing considering that we live in a viral age. If you have young children, you can’t afford to do away with this celebration. The winter holidays are special for adults, but they’re magical for kids.
This year, navigating the winter holidays will be more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health experts recommend against travel for Christmas, so you should forget about visiting distant relatives. If you want to have a wonderful holiday season, you need to stay responsibly separated in 2020. When you go outside, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and hand wash as often as possible. Enclosed spaces are known to facilitate infection, which is why it’s best to meet virtually.
Nothing can compare to seeing the excitement on a child’s face when they open up a gift. There are countless options when it comes to kids’ toys, so you’re sure to find something they love. Even if you can’t afford this year’s hottest toys, don’t worry because there are solutions. Don’t let being broke stop you from celebrating Christmas. If you want to put more under the tree and create the perfect Christmas morning, continue reading to discover what you can do when you’re short on funds.
Go with handmade gifts
If you have only a couple of weeks left until Christmas, and money is tight, consider making your own gifts. Pinterest is full of cute and affordable DIY ideas. For instance, you can make a dollhouse out of cardboard boxes, bookshelves, or anything else you have lying around the home. Your little girl will have fun rearranging the furniture and creating scenarios that imitate real-life situations. Better yet, you can make a puppet theatre. You and the kids will have a great time creating magical experiences with different types of puppets.
If you have a particular skill, whether it’s sculpting or knitting, you should take advantage of it. You can easily put a smile on your loved one’s faces. Rather than praying for Santa Clause to perform a miracle, you should put your skills to the test. If you’re not crafty, at least bake some delicious cookies. Get creative with the cookie design; they can be shaped as familiar characters such as Maleficent or Aquaman.
Entertain a Christmas party
It’s no secret that youngsters love parties, which entail presents, games, and a great deal of fun. You can’t invite friends over for a big dinner. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t bring the holiday spirit into the home. Host a virtual Christmas party. Some of the guests wouldn’t have been able to come anyway, so maybe you should opt for a different approach this year. Make the invitations, decorate the home, and greet your guests as they arrive. Eat socially distanced meals and stay connected during the party.
Decide on what software you want to use. There are other options besides Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime. The choice will depend on the number of guests and the time the call will take. You can organize a Lego party. Kids are pretty much obsessed with Lego, so you can get maximum bang for your buck. The children will enjoy building, taking apart, and re-building the Lego sets. It’s up to you to make sure that the kids are giggling this Christmas.
Borrow money over Christmas
So, you haven’t had much in terms of savings recently. It hasn’t been a good year; the current health crisis has affected our personal and economic lives. Right now, you don’t have enough savings to buy any real gifts for the children. So, what are you supposed to do? Well, you can borrow money and avoid good old credit cards. The number of applications for online payday loans during the festive season. As the name suggests, the payday loan is due on your next payday. You get a little bit of cash in advance. Plus, you get to decide how to spend the money.
Don’t reach out to the credit card to make purchases this Christmas. The bills will come in January and you’ll be in over your head. Figure out how much the winter holidays will cost you this year. Any option costs money, even if you’re not changing the scenery. Borrowing money can be a difficult decision; it has to be a logical one, not an emotional one. Figure out if it’s the best solution in your case. You may still be able to save some money by cutting down on unnecessary expenses, such as cigarettes.
Deals are still available
Okay, you’re not sitting on a pile of money, but you do have something. If you want to splurge strategically, look into Christmas deals ahead of time. Rules concerning store openings and stock shortages can affect promotions, but it’s nothing to be worried about. We can expect many companies to launch unbeatable deals, even if this Christmas is nothing like we’ve ever seen. Protect yourself against unnecessary spending temptations. Patiently wait for the deals and seize any opportunity you can find.
Since you’re embarking on a shopping adventure, it’s advised to use your time and resources wisely. Set a reasonable budget and splurge money only on things you think your family will really enjoy. this isn’t a popularity contest, just so you know. Kids are happy with whatever they receive, they don’t think about the price tag. Keep a close eye on sales and promotions. Instead of visiting physical stores, you should better do your shopping online.
Finally, yet importantly, buy items in bulk to include in your holiday gifts. This way, you’ll receive a double discount. Some stores don’t allow product returns, so don’t rush the buying process. Take your time and weigh in your options. Christmas is indeed a season of giving, but that doesn’t mean that you have to dig too deep into your wallet.